Easy and quick trip today. No rain. Yay.
Nothing else new.
Tuesday
Tuesday was better. Rainy but not storming. We just had a quick radiation appointment.
We have a new routine now. I get the coffeemaker ready at night, and Mike pushes the button in the morning to turn it on then calls to wake me. When we're ready to go I drive the truck up to the porch to pick him up. Once we get to the appointment I leave him at the truck and get a wheelchair to bring him in. Repeat in reverse.
I'm hoping that when the radiation is over (friday is the last day. for now anyway.) he won't be so weak. We'll see. The nurse said today that the effects won't start wearing off for 2-3 weeks. By then he'll be back on chemo.
We have a new routine now. I get the coffeemaker ready at night, and Mike pushes the button in the morning to turn it on then calls to wake me. When we're ready to go I drive the truck up to the porch to pick him up. Once we get to the appointment I leave him at the truck and get a wheelchair to bring him in. Repeat in reverse.
I'm hoping that when the radiation is over (friday is the last day. for now anyway.) he won't be so weak. We'll see. The nurse said today that the effects won't start wearing off for 2-3 weeks. By then he'll be back on chemo.
Monday
Today was another hell day. We got halfway to Little Rock this morning and it started storming. By the time we got to town, half the roads were flooded. Good thing we have a big truck or we wouldn't have gotten through. We got wet going into the radiation center and of course it was freezing in there. I got Mike a blanket then we waited (frozen) for what seemed forever because the electric had cut out and they had to reboot the radiation machines. We left there and went to his appointment for the anemia shot - 45 minutes late. We waited THERE 2 hours. Once we're finaly out of there and on the way home, it started REALLY storming. Visibility was about 10 feet, the traffic on the interstate was 40mph. We made it home cranky (me) and worn out (him).
Weekend
Nothing new. Mike's feeling a little better, not much. He's soooo weak and frail. It's pitiful.
I spent the weekend trying to get the mower going, no luck.
Overall an extremely usless and frustrating 2 days.
I spent the weekend trying to get the mower going, no luck.
Overall an extremely usless and frustrating 2 days.
Thursday
Thursday was a bad day for Mike. His one thing he's been still able to do is make the coffee in the morning then come wake me. He couldn't even do that. He had to call to me to wake me up.
It really broke my heart to see how upset and frustrated he was.
When we got to the radiation center I had to get a wheelchair to bring him in and to the back. Later in the day he had to rest after going from the couch to his chair (3 feet).
It really broke my heart to see how upset and frustrated he was.
When we got to the radiation center I had to get a wheelchair to bring him in and to the back. Later in the day he had to rest after going from the couch to his chair (3 feet).
Tuesday
Little Rock was half flooded and still storming so I canceled the radiation appointment. Mike slept all day, still catching up from the weekend. I did a little house cleaning and took a nap.
Monday
We thought today would be an easy trip to Little Rock then we'd come home and rest. Ha.
We had a radiation treatment (10 minutes) then an anemia shot (5 minutes). Weeeellll, after the radiation the doctor wanted to check on him. We waited 45 minutes for that. Went over to the infusion center and they had a new computer system and were backed up. We waited over 3 hours. So for 15 minutes of treatment we left home at 7:30 and got back at 4:30.
We had a radiation treatment (10 minutes) then an anemia shot (5 minutes). Weeeellll, after the radiation the doctor wanted to check on him. We waited 45 minutes for that. Went over to the infusion center and they had a new computer system and were backed up. We waited over 3 hours. So for 15 minutes of treatment we left home at 7:30 and got back at 4:30.
Weekend
Seeing Mike's mom was nice but the weekend was just way too exausting for Mike (and me too!). Because they came on friday we never had a chance to rest up after all week in Little Rock.
Mike's mom stayed with us, everyone else stayed in a motel in Clinton. (Cousin Dwayne, his girlfriend Becky, and friend Joe). Everyone else left for the motel by 8:30-9 every night so that was good. But mom kept us up till midnight every night. HOURS past our regular bedtime.
They left late afternoon sunday, Mike went to sleep instantly. Good thing 'cause Mom called at midnight to tell us they'd made it home. So we didn't sleep much sunday either.
Mike's mom stayed with us, everyone else stayed in a motel in Clinton. (Cousin Dwayne, his girlfriend Becky, and friend Joe). Everyone else left for the motel by 8:30-9 every night so that was good. But mom kept us up till midnight every night. HOURS past our regular bedtime.
They left late afternoon sunday, Mike went to sleep instantly. Good thing 'cause Mom called at midnight to tell us they'd made it home. So we didn't sleep much sunday either.
Friday
Fridays radiation was another quick and easy trip. It was the 7th radiation so we have 8 to go. With next wednesday off that means the final one would be thursday of week after next.
Mike's mom got here safe and sound but late, 8:30. So we had a long day. Didn't get to bed till almost midnight.
Mike's mom got here safe and sound but late, 8:30. So we had a long day. Didn't get to bed till almost midnight.
Thursday
Thursdays radiation was quick and easy again.
I got the truck fixed then mowed a little since it's not raining. Talked to Mike's mom, she'll be here friday afternoon till sunday. His cousin is driving her.
I got the truck fixed then mowed a little since it's not raining. Talked to Mike's mom, she'll be here friday afternoon till sunday. His cousin is driving her.
Tuesday/Wednesday
Rain, rain, and more rain. Ugh.
Tuesday and wednesday radiation appointments went well. Mike says it's helping the pain already.
I'm just busy trying to keep up with my normal stuff while going to Little Rock everyday. Yesterday I had to take the truck into the shop to find out what was wrong with it, today I have an appointment to get it fixed. I sure don't need it breaking down right now.
Tuesday and wednesday radiation appointments went well. Mike says it's helping the pain already.
I'm just busy trying to keep up with my normal stuff while going to Little Rock everyday. Yesterday I had to take the truck into the shop to find out what was wrong with it, today I have an appointment to get it fixed. I sure don't need it breaking down right now.
Monday
Today we had a radiation appointment then an appointment at the infusion center for the anemia shot. It would've been pretty quick except for the time between appointments and the wait at the infusion center. (Mike had his first wheelchair ride with me driving, I don't think he was too impressed. Ha.)
Tomorrow is only radiation so it'll be a short day.
Tomorrow is only radiation so it'll be a short day.
Weekend
The weekend was cruddy. It stormed most of saturday and sunday so we were stuck in the house. Mike wasn't doing too well, he spent both days in his recliner dozing in and out.
Friday
Fridays appointment went really quick and easy. Mike was expecting an hour or more of torture (laying on his back - on the painful lump - on a metal table = excruciating pain), that's what they'd told him thursday. Instead he got what they said will be the usual treatment from now on, a 5 minute zap. We were in and out in 15 minutes. Whew.
Thursday
Mike & TuxNothing new today, went to a radiation appointment, another one tomorrow. I took this picture this morning.
Wednesday
Yesterday was the first appointment at the radiation center. They did the prep and a scan and decided on an initial treatment of 3 weeks starting tomorrow. It might change to 6 weeks but for now we're scheduled for 15 treatments, every day except weekends. Mike is frail and weak, I'm hoping the everyday trips to Little Rock don't wear him out too much. They have some possible housing options but it's better if we can be home. We'll just have to see how it goes.
They offered a wheelchair for the days he also has appointments at the cancer center too (about a block away). So that'll be easier on him than if I drove him and he had to get in and out of the truck then walk to the doctors offices.
They weighed him too, and he's lost 20 pounds in 2 months. I'd been wondering why the scales hadn't shown any weight loss but I could see it. Must have been the fluid build up. He's still pretty swollen, can't wear his shoes or wedding ring, but not half as much as before.
They offered a wheelchair for the days he also has appointments at the cancer center too (about a block away). So that'll be easier on him than if I drove him and he had to get in and out of the truck then walk to the doctors offices.
They weighed him too, and he's lost 20 pounds in 2 months. I'd been wondering why the scales hadn't shown any weight loss but I could see it. Must have been the fluid build up. He's still pretty swollen, can't wear his shoes or wedding ring, but not half as much as before.
Monday/Tuesday
Here's a picture I took of Mike last wednesday. Yes, he looks bad, but actually the picture is better than he looks in person. He's looking pretty rough after the last chemo treatment.
Saturday/Sunday
Happy Fathers Day!
Another quiet weekend here, it's too hot and muggy to do anything outside.
Mike's still feeling pretty good, the fluid pills are starting to work now that he's okayed by the doctor to take 2 at a time. His feet and legs are getting close to normal again.
Another quiet weekend here, it's too hot and muggy to do anything outside.
Mike's still feeling pretty good, the fluid pills are starting to work now that he's okayed by the doctor to take 2 at a time. His feet and legs are getting close to normal again.
Friday
Yesterday we had the appointments. Lab, Doctor, Chemo. When we saw the doctor he sent Mike for an ultrasound to make sure the foot and leg swelling wasn't because of a blood clot. (It wasn't). He also addressed the lump on Mike's back where most of the pain is. He's going to try radiation on that spot. The first radiation appointment is tuesday and it's supposed to be 5 days in a row. I'm not sure if it's ONE 5 day treatment or a series of 5 day treatments, we'll find out tuesday. (I wasn't sure which the doctor meant). He wants Mike to come in once a week for a shot for anemia too, so it looks like we'll be on the road a lot for awhile.
Other than all that, Mike says he's feeling pretty good. He's been eating, not much at a time, but regularly.
Other than all that, Mike says he's feeling pretty good. He's been eating, not much at a time, but regularly.
Thursday
Almost 7 o'clock and we're just getting home. Loooong day and we're exhausted. I'll fill in the details in the morning. Nothing's wrong, I'm just tired. I'm only checking in now so nobody worries we're in the hospital again or something.
Wednesday
Today was another pretty good day. Perfect weather again and Mike came outside for awhile. This morning he took the clippers to his head and cut his hair 'almost' all off. Eeeek. Better than letting it fall out in in clumps though. His legs and feet are more swollen now even with the water pills so it's good we're going to the doctor tomorrow.
Tuesday
Today was a good day. Perfect weather and Mike took a walk around the yard with me then sat on the porch for awhile. Doesn't sound like much but it was really great to have him out and about. He's starting to lose his hair now so I took that last picture just in time. Tomorrow we'll give him a short haircut.
Monday
We have our new appointments. Thursday - Lab at 10:15am, Doctor at 11:40am, Chemo at 12:30pm. Chemo takes 2 hours, if all goes well we'll be leaving home at 8:15 and home around 4:30.
Yes, Mike is pale. He hasn't been outside lately except to sit on the porch for a few minutes. The new pain pills (morphine 100mg, 2x a day) work for the pain but leave him pretty tired most of the time. When he's not napping he doesn't have the strength to walk farther than a few feet - to the kitchen or bathroom - without getting worn out.
Yes, Mike is pale. He hasn't been outside lately except to sit on the porch for a few minutes. The new pain pills (morphine 100mg, 2x a day) work for the pain but leave him pretty tired most of the time. When he's not napping he doesn't have the strength to walk farther than a few feet - to the kitchen or bathroom - without getting worn out.
Friday/Saturday
I haven't been able to sign in to Blogger again.
Friday was another rainy day all day. (It doesn't look like we'll be complaining about drought this year). Everything is lush and green.
Saturday I needed to get out of the house for awhile and took Tuxie for a hike down to the creek. I'll post a couple of pictures later.
Today I'll probably get back to yardwork now that it's dried up a bit.
Mike's been spending pretty much 24 hours a day in his recliner, dozing off and on.
The leg swelling is a side effect of the chemo but probably from not moving around enough too.
Friday was another rainy day all day. (It doesn't look like we'll be complaining about drought this year). Everything is lush and green.
Saturday I needed to get out of the house for awhile and took Tuxie for a hike down to the creek. I'll post a couple of pictures later.
Today I'll probably get back to yardwork now that it's dried up a bit.
Mike's been spending pretty much 24 hours a day in his recliner, dozing off and on.
The leg swelling is a side effect of the chemo but probably from not moving around enough too.
Thursday
Yesterday was a long but uneventful day. Mike had about 15 minutes of medical stuff but we were at the hospital till 5 and not home till almost 7. Lab tests showed he had a low blood (hemoglobin?) count so they gave him a shot for anemia. His legs and feet are swollen so they gave him a diuretic prescription. Doctor seemed suprised that the chemo hadn't made him sick. Next appointment will be next week, probably thursday, for the 2nd chemo treatment.
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